Machine for uniting metal roofing-sheets.



W. E. PHILlPP.

MACHINE FOR UNITING METAL ROOFING SHEETS.

APPLICATION FILED 0CT.2I. 1914.

Patented Oct. 26, 1915.

12 SHEETS-SHEET I.

w. E. PHILIPP. MACHINE FOR UNITING METAL ROOFING SHEETS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT-21.1914

Patented Oct. 26, 1915.

l2 SHEETS-SHEET '2.

W. E. PHILIPP.

MACHINE FOR UNITING METAL ROOFING SHEETS.

Patented Oct. 26, 1915.

I I2 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

APPLICATION FILED OCT- 2], 1914.

gnua'nfoz I Silica/mu COLUMBIA PLANouRAPl-l :0, WASHINGTON, 0. c4

W. E. PHILIPP.

MACHINE FOR UNITING METAL ROOFINGSHEETS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT- 2l. I914.

i2 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

aftozne 1.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH (IO-,WASHINGTON, 11c.

W. E. PHILIPP.

MACHINE FOR UNITING METAL ROOFING SHEETS.

1,158, 9V4L APPLICATION FILED OCT- 2I. I914. Patented Oct 26 I2 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

a I IIII/IIIIII/ ,4 Z I & II I I I N N COLUMBIA PLANOORAI'H co..wAsmNu'rON. D.'C.

W. E. PHILIPP.

MACHINE FOR UNITING METAL ROOFING SHEETS,

APPLICATION FILED 0CT.2I. 19H. wm'm. Patented Oct. 26, 1915.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

75 :7 951? I MaAAM/m COLUMBIA PLANOCIRAPH C0,, WASHINGTON, D. c.

W. E. PHILIPP.

MACHINE FOR UNlTING METAL ROOFING SHEETS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT-21.1914- Patented Oct. 26, 1915.

12 SHEETS$HEET 7- I Mll- 2/011 14 ewe/o W. E. PHILIPP.

MACHINE FOR UNIT ING METAL ROOFING SHEETS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT-2|. I914.

L15&Q?4I I Patented Oct. 26, 1915.

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COLUMBIA PLANOORAPH CO.,WASHINOTDN, n. c.

W. E. PHILIPP.

MACHINE FOR UNITING METAL ROOFING SHEETS.

APPLICATION FILED 0cT.2|. 1914.

1.15%.,274. Patented Oct. 26, 1915.

I2 SHEETSSHE ET 9.

w. E, PHILIPP. MACHINE FOR uNmNa METAL ROOFING SHEETS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 21.1914- L15&Q?4. Patented Oct. 26, 1915.

I2 $HEETSSHEET l0.

www $3 1.1%

MACHINE FOR UNITING METAL ROOFING SHEETS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 21. 1914.

1,15&Q?%, Patented Oct. 26,1915,

WWI/1111 x Wilma 3% I g 73. 76 QmV/Z. (4mm W. E. PHlLlPP.

MACHINE FOR UNITING METAL ROOFING SHEETS.

APPLICATION FILE-D OCT-2|. I914.

Patented Oct. 26, 1915.

12 SHEETSSHEET l2.

COLUMBIA PLANOQRAPH 60., WASHINGTON. n. c.

1111M @TATFM FATFN UF1ME.

WILLIAM E. PHILIPP, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

MACHINE FOR UNITING METAL ROOFING-SHEETS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented (lot. 26, 1915.

Application filed October 21, 1914. Serial No. 867,764.

chine for producing rolls of united roofing sheets.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved machine for automatically uniting and soldering together a series of roofing sheets; to provide improved means whereby the side edges of the strip of united sheets will be true and at right angles to the seams by which the sheets are united so that when a number of such strips of united sheets are laid side by side their edges will be parallel and readily joined by the usual standing seam.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved machine of the character described whereby the feeding of the sheets, the trimming, edging, soldering and several steps in completely uniting the sheets into a strip are all. automatically effected.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved mechanism for applying solder to the sheets whereby the solder will be distributed throughout the seams and an exceedingly strong joint made.

With these and other objects in view, the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein,-

Figures 1 and 1 show the complete machine in side elevation. Figs. 2 and 2 illustrate the same in top plan. Fig. 3, shows an enlarged detail front elevation of the sheet feed device,the section being taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 1, illustrates an enlarged vertical sectional detail of the sheet holding and solder coating devices taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5, shows an enlarged detail of the means for reversing the sheet after one edge has been coated with solder,the section being taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6, illustrates a vertical cross-sectional detail on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1 and shows the arrangement of the device for carrying the sheet from the coating to the edging position. Fig. 7, shows a front elevation of the sheet holdingdevice. Fig. 8, illustrates a centralvertical longitudinal section through the same,-the section being taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9,

shows a sectional detail through the head of the sheet holder as viewed on the line 99 of Fig. 8. Figs. 10, 11, 12, 13, 11 and 15, are detail views of parts utilized in the sheet-holding and carrying devices. Fig. 16, illustrates the means for returning the sheet holder and carrying device from the edging means back to its normal position to receive a sheet. Fig. 17, shows a sectional detail through the air exhaust passages of the sheet I holder,the section being taken on the line 1717 of Fig. 8. Fig. 18, illustrates the sheet edge-trimming device on an enlarged scale,the section being taken on the line 1818 of Fig. 1. Fig. 19, illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional detail through the same,the section being taken on the. line 1919 of Fig. 18. Fig. 20, shows a sectional detail through the knife-carrier guideway this section being taken on the line 20-20 of Fig. 19. Fig. 21, shows an enlarged cross-section on the line 21-21 of Fig. 1, of the mechanism for gaging the sheets by the opposite longitudinal edges so as to enable the trimmer to out the ends at right angles to the sides. Fig. 22, shows a bottom or inverted plan View of the same. Fig. 23, illustrates on an enlarged scale, a vertical crosssectional view through the machine on the line 2323 of Fig. 1, to show the edging mechanism. Fig. 24, is a similar view on the line 24l24 of Fig. 23. Fig. 25, shows a cross-section on the line 2525 of Fig. 24. Fig. 26, illustrates a-similar view 011 the line 2626 of Fig. 24. Fig. 27, shows an enlarged cross-section through the hammer mechanism,-the section being taken on the line 2727 of Fig. 1. Fig. 28, illustrates another cross-section view of the same, this section being taken on the line 28-28 of Fig. 27. Fig. 29, shows a top plan view of the mechanismutilized to prevent the hammer being actuated at predetermined intervals. Fig. 30, illustrates the actuating gears of the same as viewed on'the line 30-30 of Fig. 29. Fig. 81, shows an enlarged vertical cross-section through the solder fusing mechanismas viewed on the line 3131 of Fig. 1. Fig. 32, illustrates a cross-sectional detail through the same,the section being taken on the line 32-32 of Fig. 31. Fig. 33, shows a top plan view of the means employed to prevent the actuation of the solder fusingmeans at predetermined intervals the section being taken on the horizonthe joined sheets "in straight formation.

Fig. 38, shows a front elevation of the stop bar and mechanism for actuating the same as viewed on the line 38-38 of Fig. 1*. Fig. 39, shows a similar View of reel mechanism as viewed on the line 39-39 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 40, is'a'n end view of the reel. Fig. 41,

showsthe reel in cross-section,the section being taken on the line 41-41 of Fig. 40. Fig. '42, shows a sectional detail through an edge of the sheet after the operation of dipping the same to apply a coating of solder thereto. Fig. 43, illustrates a sectional detail through the edging mechanism and two sheets ready for the first operation in hook ing thetwo sheetstog'ether. Fig. 44, shows a similar view after the first operation. Fig. 45, illustrates the same after the second operation. Fig. 46, shows the two sheets in the partly-hooked condition and ready for the hammering operation. Fig. 47, shows the seam in the condition in which the ham mer leavesit. Fig. 48, illustrates the seam in cross-section during the operation of applying the pressure and the head to fuse the solder in the seam. Fig. 49, shows the seam in cross-section during its pause at the cooling station where the solder in the seam has been fusedtogether and is beingcooled, and Fig. 50, shows a crosssectional detail through the soldered seam and the top bar that holds the soldered strip against advancement while the several operations are performed.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1, 1?, 2 and 2 thereof, it will be noted that in the present instance the machine parts are sustained by parallel side frames or bars 51, and 51 that are sustained by vertical supports 52, and that, in the present instance, a main driving shaft 53, extends horizontally from one end of a machine to the other. In the operation of joining the sheets, the machine has a series of stations where the several operations take place, one'after another, beginning with the feeding of the sheets.

By referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings it willbe noted that the upper edge of each side bar 51, is beveled and that a slide-bar 54, has a notched lower edge which seats on said beveled edge of the side bars so as to travel horizontally back;andforth'thereon'. A cross-bar 55, connects the tWQ'slide barS 54, so as to form a carriage like frame and an inclined support 56 has its lower edgepivotally connected to the bars at 57, and is provided with an adjustable brace bar 58 at the rear so that the inclination may be varied. This inclined support 56, serves to sustain a box 59, of flat roofing sheets 60, which are to be removed one at a time and subjected to several operations to prepare it for union with other sheets in forming a roll of united sheets.

Horizontal reciprocating motion is imparted to the carriage from a rock shaft 61, by means of levers 62, at opposite ends of said shaft which levers have slots 63, at

- their upper ends through which pins 64, on

the slide bars project.

An arm 65, depends from rock shaft 61,

and has a roller 66, which travels on a side groove of a cam 67 which latter is carried on a horizontal shaft 68. Shaft 68, is driven from main shaft 53, by means of a worm 69, and a worm gear 70, so that as.

' operation is performed, to-wit,coating the opposite edges of said sheet with solder prior to the formation of a hook. This sheet-holding device is best illustrated in Figs. 1, 2,4 and Figs. 7 to 17 inclusive in thedrawing, to which reference will now be made.

Thesheet-holding device has a head 71, with a vertical channel bar 72, at the front thereof and with horizontal channel bars 73, at the upper and lower ends respectively of the vertical bar. Two inclined passages 74, extend from the vertical channel bar 72, back through the head and converge at a segment passage 7 4, which is in the head and extends crosswise of the converged ends of thepassages 74, so as to be in continuous communication therewith. Segment-plates 75, straddle and seat close against the opposite sides of the head and are pivotally con-- nected to the latter by means of a bolt or pin 76. These segment plates have bypasses 77, which communicate with the segment passage 74, in the head and which extend forwardly and open into a central horizontal and the by passes 77. Two arms 79, project from the head 71, at points above and below the pipe 78, and springs 80, serve to maintain the head so that the channel 72, will normally have substanti ally a vertical position. The'object inproviding a yielding movement to the head 71, is to enable it to.

ment has been explained. In making this forward movement the foremost sheet in the box is pressed against the channel bars 72 and 73, and, as in theoperation of the machine a continuous suction is created from pipe 78, through bypasses 77, and passages 74, said sheet when seated against the channel bars will. be held there by such suction,- the head tilting to an angle to seat fiat against the plates, so that when the box of roofing plates is moved back one sheet 60, will be removed and be held by the channel bars, as shown in Fig. 1, of the drawings where certain operations will be performed thereon as will presently be explained.

By referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 8 of the drawing it will be noted that the end of tube or pipe 78, is connected to a cylindric sleeve 81, which latter has a sliding connection with a pipe 82,the pipes 81 and 82, being in constant communication, and a spring 83, being interposed between them so that'pipe 81, may have a slight longitudinal yield when the box of metal plates is pushed against the channel bars 72 and 73, and

thereby compensate for the removal of the sheets one'at a time from the box. Pipe 82, is connected to a horizontal shaft 8 1, one end of which latter has a longitudinal passage 85, therein with which pipe 82, communicates. This horizontal shaft 84, is sustained by bearings 86, on the upper ends of vertical standards 88, and one end of said shaft carries a pinion 87, while the other end thereof carries another pinion 89, which meshes with a gear 90, beneath it. The pur' pose of these gears will presently be explained. Beyond the pinion 87, shaft 8 1, carries a disk 91, which is fixed with respect to the shaft and moves with the latter, at

times when the shaft is rocked, as will be explained. At the outer side of disk 91., there is another disk 92, which is held rigidly by means of a bracket 93, and said two disks are in close contact with each other, as shown in Figs. 1144 and 15 of the drawing. Disk 91, has a passage 94,that extends radially from its center and opens at a port 95, in the flat face thereof, while disk 92, has a radial passage 96, that opens into a segmental passage 97, which latter is also exposed at the flat face. An atmosphere port, 98, is also provided in the disk 92, so as to admit air at certain periods as will. now be explained. Suppose a hose 99, to be attached to the nozzle of disk 92, and a pump (not shown) constantly creating a suction on radial passage 96. As long as pipes 82 and 78 are in the position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 8, there will be a suction through passages 7 1, in the head and when a metal roofing plate is moved up against channel bars 72 and 73, the suction will hold said plate to said bars during and after the removal of the box. While the plate 60, is

thus held. by the head it is in readiness for the first operation thereon, to wit,coating the opposite edges with solder as will now be explained.

By referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 4: of the drawing it will be noted that the inside of side bars 51, are provided with dove-tail guideways 100, in which vertical guideplates 101, have vertical movement. hese guide plates sustain a horizontal receptacle 102, in which solder 103, in a molten condition is maintained,suitable burners 104E, serving to heat the solder. By preference a supply of flux is maintained on the surface of the molten solder to flux the plates during dipping. Each guide plate 101, has a roller 105, on its outer side so that cams 106, on a horizontal shaft 107, may contact with the cams and cause the guide plate and solder receptacle to be raised and lowered. When the solder receptacle is first raised it will travel up far enough to cause the solder therein to coat one edge only of the plate 60, that is held directly over it and then the receptacle will lower sufiiciently to enable the plate to be reversed end-for-end, as will presently be explained, and the receptacle will then again be raised by the action of cams 106. Cam shaft 107, is revolved by means of a worm gear 108, and a worm 109, which latter is carried on the main driving shaft 53.

A supporting frame 110, extends upwardly from the frame of the machine and said frame carries a bracket 111, which sustains the weight of the tube or pipe 78. This frame also sustains a short horizontal sprocket shaft 112, as shown clearly in Fig.

5, on which a sprocket wheel 113, is rigidly mounted. A segment gear 1141, is also mounted 011 this shaft 112, and directly over it and on the tube or pipe 78, is a gear 115, with which the segment gear meshes during a portion only of each of its revolutions. A sprocket chain 116, extends around the wheel 113, and is driven from a sprocket 117, on the main shaft 53, so that when segment gear 114, meshes with gear 115, the latter will be given a half revolution by which it turns pipe or tube 78, and head 71, so as to reverse the metal plate 60, end for end. This revolution of the plate takes place immediately after the solder receptacle is lowered after its first elevation so that after the plate has been reversed the solder receptacle will again be raised to coat the other end of the plate with solder.

After the two opposite edges of the plate have been coated with solder, the shaft 8 1, is given a partial rotation to swing pipes 82 and 78, and the head 71, carrying the plate 60, over and present one of the solder-coated edges to an'edging mechanism. The means for effecting this swinging movement will now be explained.

It has heretofore been explained that shaft 84, carries a pinion 87, at one end and also carries a pinion 89, at the other end with which latter pinion a gear 90, meshes, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 16 of the drawing. Below gear 90, one of the standards 88, sustains a short horizontal shaft 118, on which a segment gear 119 and a sprocket 120, are mounted so as to revolve together. A sprocket chain 121, passes around sprocket 120, and said chain is driven by a sprocket 122, on the end of a horizontal shaft 123. This shaft 123, carries a gear 124, which is driven by a worm 125, on the main shaft 53, as clearly shown in Fig. 6, of the drawing. It will therefore be seen that as segment gear 119, revolves it will be brought into engagement with gear 90, during a portion of its revolution and by turning gear 90, will effect a rotation of gear. 89, on shaft 84 which latter will turn so as to swingtubes 82 and 78, up, carrying the head, channel bars and attached metal plate. This swinging movement is continued until head 71, and the attached plate are swung over, being reversed during the movement, and the plate presented to an inclined guide or chute 126, at which moment the suction heretofore employed to hold the plate will be broken by ports 95 and 98, of disks 91 and 92, coming into register to admit atmosphere and thereupon said plate 60, will be dropped onto the inclined guide or chute which will direct it to a position where a longitudinal hook will be formed on one edge as will presently be explained. After releasing the plate 60, segment gear 119, will disengage from gear 90, and the other mechanism will at once act on the gear 87, at the opposite end of shaft 84, to return the latter and the head 71, to the normal position in front of the box of plates. By referring to Figs. 2, 6 and 16 of the drawing it will be noted that below gear 87, at the far side of the machine the standard 88, sustains a short shaft 127, on which a segment gear 128, and a sprocket 129, are mounted so as to revolve together. A chain 130, passes around sprocket 129, and is driven from a sprocket 131, on horizontal shaft 123, so that when a plate has been released by the head onto guide 126, segment gear 128, will engage gear 87, and cause shaft 84, to revolve in a direction to return the head to a position ready for receiving another plate. At this stage in the operation of the machine it will be understood that the plate has been removed from the box of plates; the opposite edges have been coated with solder and the plate has been presented to an edging mechanism where one edge is to be provided with a hook. The plate 60, at this time will have an appearance substantially like that shown on an exaggerated scale in Fig. 42, of the drawing wherein the solder coating 132, on one edge of the plate 60, is shown.

The edging mechanism is illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 23, 24, 25, 26, 43, 44 and 45 of the drawings to which attention is now directed. It will be noted that each side frame 51, sustains a vertically-extending guide block 133, each of which has a forwardly and downwardly-extending inclined slot 134, therein. An inclined former plate 136, has its opposite edges entered in inclined guide grooves 137, in the guide blocks 133, so that said former plate may be guided during an up and down movement that may be imparted thereto. This former plate 136, has a notch or recess 138, extending across the forward lower edge, as clearly shown in Figs. 43, 44 and 45, and also in the present instance, has a rack bar 139, on its rear surface with which a segment rack 140, that is carried on a tubular shaft 141, engages. This tubular shaft is mounted on a solid shaft 142, and at the outer end said tubular shaft is provided with an arm 143,

. with which the upper end of a vertical rod 144, connects. The lower end of this vertical rod carries a roller which travels in a groove in cam 145, on horizontal shaft 146, so that upon each revolution of the cam 145, the tubular shaft 141, will be rocked and segment gear 140, will thereby cause former plate 136, to be brought down and held there during the edging operation and then raised to clear the partly-formed seam.

The solid shaft 142, carries an arm 147, at each end each of which latter has a bifurcated end 148, which engages an end of a cross bar 149, which latter is attached to a slide plate 150. This slide plate has a dovetailed sliding connection 151, with the former plate 136, as shown in Figs. 23 and 25 of the drawing and the shaft 142, has an arm 152, which is engaged by a vertical. bar 153, whose lower end is reciprocatcd vertically by means of a cam 154, on horizontal. shaft 146. By means of this construction, bar 153, may be reciprocated so as to rock shaft 142, and arms 147, will rock so as to move slide plate 150, up and down as the case may be.

Beneath each guide block 133, there is sustained a horizontal bender shaft 155, which has a bender bar 156. This bender bar 156, normally has position beneath the notch or recess 138, of the former plate,

racks each have an arm 159, with a roller 160, thereon, and the. rollers enter grooves in cams 161 on the outer ends of a horizontal shaft 162. Shaft 162, carries a gear 163, that is driven by a worm 164, on shaft 53.

In the operation of locking the plates together, one plate is presumed to be beneath the former plate 163, with the soldercoated edge projecting beyond the notch 138 and resting on the bender 156, as shown in Fig. 43. The next plate is brought over by the head 71, and directed by the guide or chute 126,-down in front of slide plate 150, as also shown in Fig. 413. The bender 156, then swings around and bends the coated edge of the horizontal plate up and against the coated portion of the plate last fed and continues this movement until it crowds the two coated bent portions into the notch 138, as shown in Fig. 14, of the drawing. The slide plate 150, is next lowered so'as to push the last fed sheet down into substantially a horizontal position, while the bender continues to hold the bent portions of the two plates in the notch,thus effecting the operation shown in Fig. 15, of the drawing. This operation leaves the two plates in substantially a horizontal position with an upturned solder-coated hook of one engaging a down-turned solder-coated hook of the other.

In practice the plates 60, are found to vary somewhat in length or in the direction between the two solder-coated edges, and these variations are sufficient to give trouble in the succeeding operations unless the plates are cut into uniform lengths. It is also common for an edge of the plates to be irregular or to extend at an angle with respect to the side edges which angle is not a right angle. This form of irregularity is also a serious matter because in forming a hook on such an edge there may be quite a deep hook at one side of the plate but no hook at all at the other side, therefore it is desirable to true the sheets crosswise of their longitudinal edges as well as cut them of a uniform length.

Means has beenprovided in the present invention to true the plates and to cut them into uniform lengths which will be explained in connection with Figs. 1, 2, 18, 19 and 20 of the drawing. Between the edging mechanism and the turn-over mech anism which causes the head 71, to carry the plates to the edges, I provide vertical guide-ways 165, which are braced by a cross-bar 166, at the top. These guide-ways have vertical slots 167, therein and adjustable guide strips 168, are provided in each guideway, as shown in Fig. 20. A cutter head 169, is sustained between the. two guide-ways and has its ends projecting through the slots 167, and from each end a stud 170, projects. are provided at the opposite ends of the cutter head and the upper ends "of said Connecting rods 171,

rods pivotally engage the studs 170, while the lower ends thereof pivotally engage a wrist pin 172, on a circular crank head 173. These crank heads are carried on the opposite ends of a horizontal shaft 174, which latter also carries a gear 17 5, that meshes with and is driven by a worm 176, on the main shaft 53. It will thus be seen that as the cranks 173, revolve the cutter head 169, will be reciprocated vertically. ()ne side of the cutter head is provided with two spaced apart guide lugs 177,-one directly over the other so that a rod 178, of a presser bar 179, may project up through said lugs. In this instance two rods 178, project from the presser bar and therefore two sets of lugs 177, are provided to guide them. Each rod 178 has a nut 180, thereon so that a spiral spring 181, may encircle each rod and be compressed between the upper lug and the nut so as to exert a constant downward pressure on the rod and the presser bar 179. A cutter bar 182, is secured to the head so as to travel up and down therewith and adjacent to the presser bar 179.

A table 183 is provided between the side frames 51, at a point between the cutter bar 182, and the edging mechanism so that the plate one of whose edges is loosely hooked to the plate ahead of it, will lie flat on said table with the edge to be trimmed beneath the cutter bar 182, which position it assumes when it is forced down fiat by the slide plate 150, of the edger mechanism. The cutting or shearing edge of the table 183, is provided with a shearing blade 18 1, with which the cutter bar 182, co-acts.

From the foregoing explanation it will be understood that prior to the cutter bar engaging the plate to cut it, the presser bar 179 will seat on the latter and hold it firmly.

The cutter bar 182, has a cutting edge that is longer at one side than the other so that the cut in the plate will. begin at the long side and extend tothe short side as the cut ter comes down. It will be noted that this cutting and sizing of the plates takes place after one edge is loosely hooked to the plate ahead of it, therefore the distance between one seam and the next will be uniform. During this sizing operation I also provide a device'by which the plate is longitudinally gaged so that the cut will leave the edge at a right angle with respect to the longitudinal side edges of the plate. This side-gaging means is illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 21 and 22 of the drawings, to which reference will now be made.

The upper surface of the table 183, is provided with a plurality of gage blocks185, which have lugs 186, that project through slots187, in the table; nects the lugs on the under side of the table and a slide plate 189, extends laterally from the cross-bar and moves in guide bars 190.

A cross-bar 188, consustained between the said side bars.

Stems 191, extend horizontally from the gage blocks 185, and pass through openings in the side frame 51, in which they have bearing, and coiled springs 192, encircling the stems serve to press the blocks away from'the frame 51.

- A rock bar 193, is pivotally connected to a bracket 194, and said bar has its upper end pivota-lly connected to the under side of slide plate 189, while its lower end engages a groove 195, in a cam 196. Cam 196, is car ried on a horizontal shaft 197, and said shaft is provided with a gear 198, that is driven by a worm 199, on main shaft 53. It will therefore be seen that when a plate swings down on table 183, the gage blocks 185, will bump one longitudinal edge thereof and push it over against the side 51 which serves to gage the plate along the sides while the cutting is done, thereby making/the cut at right angles to the gaged side edge.

The next step in the operation of the ma chine is to hammer the loosely hooked-together plates and in this connection it will be understood that having solder-coated the edges before forming the engaging hooks thereon, such hooks, when formed and engaged will have the previously applied solder thereon, so that when hammered together the solder will be on the inside as well as the outside of the seam. The mechanism for hammering the loosely-hooked edges of the plates is best illustrated in Figs. 1 27, 28 and 29 to which reference will now be made. Y

Guide brackets 200, are sustained on the upper edges of the side bars 51' and 51, of the machine and a hammer bar 201, extends horizontally across and between said brackets and has its ends projecting through a vertical slot 202, in said brackets so as to be held in a vertical position. The lower edge of the hammer bar is formed intoa flat head 203, while directly beneath this head there is provided a horizontal anvil bar 204:, whkih is lat table sections 205, are also provided between the side bars from the edger mechanism to the discharge end of the machine. Below the table there is a horizontal shaft 206, each end of which carries a cam 207, and a rod 208, is provided at each end of the hammer bar and each rod depends'at theside of a cam and has a roller which travels in a groove in said cam. By means of this construction the hammer plate has one vertical reciprocation'during each revolution of the cam 207, and during the hammering operation the loosely hooked plates as shown in Fig. 46, are drawn under the hammer bar and brought to rest on the anvil bar 1, so that when the hammer comes down the hooks will be mashed into' the position shown in Fig.47. i

In manufacturing rolls of roofing plates .that are made up of a series of soldered-together plates, it is desirable that each roll shall consist of the same number of plates, therefore during the operation of the machine after a predetermined number of plates have been soldered together it is desirable to remove the roll and start winding another roll. This operation makes it necessary to provide means for cutting out the operation of the hammer and the operation of the soldering mechanism (to be hereinafter described) on the seam that is to separate the plates that form one roll from those that form the next roll. The mechanism therefore employed to cut out the operation of the hammer on the loosely-hooked edges of the plates that form the last plate of one roll and the first plate of the next roll will now be described, reference being made to Figs. 1 27, 28 and 29 of the drawings.

Shaft 206, below the hammer is provided with a gear 209, which meshes with and is driven by a gear 210, on another horizontal shaft'211, beneath it. A gear 212, is provided on shaft 211, which is driven by a worm 213, on the main shaft 53. A clutch 21 1, is located on shaft 211, so that at predetermined intervals this clutch may be operated to allow gear 210 to stop and thereby also stop gear 209, and the hammer mechanism.

To operate the clutch I provide a horizontal counter shaft 215, on which I mount a gear 216, and on the main shaft 53, below this gear there is provided a gear 217, having a single tooth 218, thereon. As gear 217,

makes each revolution its tooth 218, will engage gear 216, and move it a partial revolution so that after a predetermined number of intermittent partial revolutions said gear 216, will make one complete revolution. A beveled lug 219, is provided on the side of intermittent gear 216, so that upon completing its revolution this lug may engage and actuate a bell-crank lever 220, which engages and throws th clutch 214, thereby throwing the hammer operating means out of operation. Immediately upon lug 219, passing the lever 220, the clutch will be thrown into operation again by means of the spring 221, drawing the clutch parts together. Thus it will be seen that at predetermined intervals, according to the number of plates in each row, and the num ber of teeth on gears 216, and 217, the hammer mechanism will be cut out of operation to allow one loosely hooked joint to pass without hammering.

The mechanism for soldering the engaged and hammered hooked-edges will now be explained in connection with Figs. 1, 2, 31, 32 and 33 of the drawings. On the upper edges of side bars 51 and 51 there are guide brackets 222, each having a vertical guide slot 223, therein. An upper heating and compressing iron 224, extends horizontally between the brackets 222, and has guide ribs 225, on its ends which project into the slots 223, of the brackets so as to guide the same during the vertical movement. A gas burner 226, provides jets that play on the upper heating and compressing iron. A lowerheating and compressing iron 224:, also has guide ribs 227, on its ends which are guided in slots 228, of depending guide brackets 229. A rock shaft 230, is located beneath the two compressing irons and each end of the rock shaft carries a rock bar 231, which has two projecting ends. From one end of each rock bar a rod 232, extends upwardly and pivotally engages the upper heating and compressing iron 22 1-, while from the other end of each rock bar there is a rod 233, that engages the lower compressing iron 22%. Therefore when shaft 230, is rocked in one direction thetwo compressing irons will be moved toward each other to compress and heat the solder coated joint, and thereby fuse the solder while compressing the oint, and when moved in the other direction will cause the irons to move away from the joint. Thus it will be understood that the irons not only heat and fuse the solder but they also finally compress the joint and mash it during the fusing operation and the solder is thereby distributed throughout the seam and the lELttQPtllOl oughly soldered. The shaft 230, is rocked by means of an arm 234:, which has a roller 235 that travels in the groove of a cam 236, on a horizontal shaft 237. Cam shaft 237, carries a gear 238, that is driven by a worm 239, on shaft 58. In order to cut out the operation of the heating and compressing irons 22 1 and 224C, to prevent soldering the joint that separates the united plates for one roll from those of the next roll, it is necessary to stop the operation of cam 236, which I accomplish by means of a clutch 240, on shaft 237, as will now be explained.

It will be noted that shaft 215, which is operated one tooth for each revolution of main shaft 53, by means of gear 217, extends to a point adjacent to the soldering mechanism, and that said shaft carries a gear 241. This gear is provided with a beveled lug 2&2, 011 one side so as to engage a clutch lever 243, at the completion of one revolution and by operating said lever throw the clutch and stop the movement of cam 236, thereby. cutting out the operation of the heating and compressing irons and allowing the loosely hooked joint to pass unsoldered. A spring 244, serves toreturn the clutch after lug 242, has released the clutch lever.

When the seam leaves the heating and compressing irons it is in the condition shown in Fig. 48, of the drawing.

By referring to Figs. 2, 36 and 37 of the the reel, the latter will drawing it will be noted that at intervals along the table 205, yielding gage blocks 245, are provided to keep the strip of united plates pressed against the gage-bar 51, so that the strip will be straight with its side edges at right angles to the seams. These gage blocks have a lug 2 16, that projects through a slot 2-17, in the table and a spring 2&8 on a stem 2&9, keeps them yieldingly pressed over.

After soldering the joint the plates are moved forward to present the soldered oint to an air blast from pipe 250, which cools the joint and causes the solder to harden quickly. After the cooling operation the united plates extend along the table beneath a stop bar, which will presently be described, and are wound onto a reel which has features of constructionthat enable the ready removal of one roll and the winding of the next. This construction is illustrated in Figs. 1 2, 39, 40 and 11 of the drawings, to which attention is now directed.

A horizontal shaft 251, extends crosswise of and above the main shaft 53, and said horizontal shaft carries a gear 251 that meshes with and is driven by a worm 252, on said main shaft. is carried on the end of shaft 251*, and a chain 25-1, passes around said sprocket wheel and also around a sprocket 255, which latter has position at the side of a gear 256, so as to drive the latter. Gear 256, drives a gear 257, on the end of a reel shaft 258, and a reel 260, is carried on said reel shaft. The bearings for this reel shaft have concave recesses for the ends of the shaft to simply seat in so that said shaft, reel, and gear, 257, may be lifted out when desired without making any disconnections, with the exception of lifting gear 257, from mesh with gear 256.

The reel has two circular heads 261, with flat circular faces, and these heads are connected by rods 262. Each head of the reel has a slot 263, in its face and on the interior, each slot has a hook 264, as clearly seen in Fig. 4.0. The end plate 265, of a strip of united sheets that are to form a roll, has its hook end 266, engaged with the hooks 26 1, in the reel heads, and as the reel is revolved the strip of sheets will be wound thereon. Reel shaft 258, is revolved continuously, in the present instance, and by reference to Fig. 41, it will be noted that a yielding bolt 267, is carried by the head and enters a depression 268, in a disk 269, that is rigidly connected to shaft 258. During the winding operation, if for any reason the strip of sheets are held against movement toward simply slip by the yielding bolt 267, giving and freeing itself from the depression 268, in the disk and the shaft 258, may continue to revolvewhile the reel will remain at rest.

A sprocket wheel 253, i

fore an intermittent one.

and the hook 266, on the foremost plate enedges of adjoining sheets and means for position.

gaged with hook 264: on the reel heads.

In the rear of the reel I have found it desirable to provide a stop bar 270, which extends crosswise of the table 205, and in a direction parallel with the soldered s'eam'. This bar is carried by two arms 271, that project rearwardly from a rock shaft 272, so that when the shaft is rocked the arms may be raised or lowered. The arms are preferably made in two parts to provide for adjusting them lengthwise,a wing nut 278, serving to lock them in the adjusted Rock shaft 272, is provided at each end with an arm 274, and a bar or rod 275, depends from the free end of each arm and has a roller 27 6, at its lower end which enters a groove in a cam 27 7, on horizontal shaft 278. A gear 27 9, is provided on shaft 278, and'is driven by a worm 280, on main shaft 53. This stop bar 270, when in the lowered position close to the metal plates forms a stop against which the soldered seam bumps when it has moved far enough ahead to present one seam to the air jets,

, another seam to the heating and compressing irons and another seam to the cutter,

and by standing in the path of the seam, as clearly shown in Fig. 50, of the drawing will insure that the various seams will stop accurately at the respective stations for operation. Just before the strip of united plates is to be advanced cam 277 will operate to raise the stop bar so as to allow the seam to pass.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is,-

I. In a machine for uniting fiat metal plates the combination with means for applying solder to the edges of the plates where the seam is to be formed, of means for lock seaming the previously solder coated edges together and means for fusing the solder in the locked-together seam.

2. In a machine for uniting flat metal plates the combination with means for applying solder to the edges of the plates where the seam is to be formed, of means for making the sheets of uniform length; means for lock seaming the solder coated fusing the solder in the seams after the edges have been locked together.

3. In a machine for uniting flat metal plates the combination with means for applying a solder coating to one edge of a metal plate, of means for reversing the plate and applying a solder coating to the opposite edge; means for lock seaming the solder-coated edges of adjacent sheets and means for fusing the solder in the locked Seam.

4. In a machine for uniting flat metal plates the combination with means for coating the opposite edges of the metal plates, of means for trimming the end edge of a plate at a right angle with respect to the side edge; means for lock seaming the two solder coated edges of adjacent plates together and means for fusing the solder in the lock seam joint.

5. In a machine for uniting flat metal plates the combination with means for coating one edge of a plate with solder, of means forcoating the opposite edge of the same plate with solder; means for trimming the plates into uniform lengths; means for lock seaming the adjacent solder coated edges of two plates; means for gaging the plates from their longitudinal sides and means for fusing the solder on the locked-together edges.

6. In a machine for uniting flat metal plates the combination with means for presenting metal plates to be united, of means for selecting one plate at a time; means for hooking together adjacent edges of two plates; means for cutting the plates into uniform lengths and means for soldering the hooked-together plates.

7. In a machine for uniting fiat metal plates the combination with means for presenting metal plates to be united, of means for selecting one plate at a time; means for coating opposite edges of the plates with solder; means for cutting the plates into uniform lengths; means for lock-seaming the coated edges of adjacent plates and means for fusing the solder in the seam of the locked-together plates.

8. In a machine for uniting fiat metal plates the combination with means for coat ing opposite edges of the plates with solder, of means for side gaging the plates; means for cutting the plates at right angles to the side gages and into uniform lengths; means for lock-seaming two solder coated edges of adjacent plates, and means for fusing the solder on the locked-together edges.

9. In a machine for uniting flat metal plates the combination with means for coating opposite edges of the plates with solder of means for forming hooks on adjacent edges of two plates and loosely locking them; means for cutting the free edge of one of 

